Match Preview – AFC Newbiggin (H) – Ebac Northern League Division 2 – Friday 31st October 2025 – Kick-Off 19:30pm

by Jeff King

Two top ten sides go against each other at The Riverside on Frightday night looking for three points to boost their spooktacular playoff hopes.

AFC Newbiggin are tenth and Park View AFC eighth and both come into the game in slightly different circumstance after contrasting results last time out against boys from Billingham!

Newbiggin surprisingly lost 4 – 2 at bottom four Synthonia whilst Park View played well in a 1 – 0 home win over Town on Wednesday night at The Riverside. A win that cemented their place in the top eight.

This is ‘The Biggin’s’ first venture into The Northern League after promotion from the Northern Alliance League last season and they are making a pretty good fist of it so far as they’ve passed the halfway point of their 2025/26 season in solid style.

After 23 games they have 8 wins 6 draws and 9 losses having scored 34 goals and conceded 31 and so far amassing 30 points. Their top goal scorer being Ethan Smith with 9 goals overall including 8 in the league whilst James Cooper has netted 6 times.

That defeat at Synthonia came after winning their two previous games at home. It is their away form that is the concern at the moment. After only losing one of their first six games away from home they have only won one of their last six away.

Back on the opening day of the season in July an early Charlie Loveday goal and a later winner from Nathan Conroy after an Ethan Smith equaliser saw Park View come away with a 2 – 1 win League win.

A game that saw two red cards with 16-year-old Shay Pye sent-off late on after coming on for is Park View debut as a substitute. Newbiggin having their skipper Harvey Hills also dismissed after 15 minutes.

For Park View they have played 20 games and have 35 points. 10 Wins 5 Draws 5 Defeats with 25 goals scored and only a league leading equalling 17 conceded. Park View have kept 10 clean sheets in their League games so far.

It’s clear to see where Park View are looking to improve with top scorer Conroy on 6 goals but he hasn’t netted since the last game in August. Charlie Loveday is next for the home side having scored 5 times.

So, once again, a tough task for both sides and a tight game anticipated. Will Park View do ‘The Double’ or will AFC Newbiggin get revenge? Be at The Riverside on Friday night for a 7:30pm kick-off to find out